Toowoomba Ring Road construction under way

Premier Campbell Newman turned the first sod on the vital Toowoomba Ring Road today, kick starting yet another LNP Government election promise.

The Premier said the Victoria Street extension was the final link in Toowoomba’s Outer Circulating Road system, and would involve the construction of a new four-lane road to connect Victoria and Russell Streets with Chalk Drive and Ruthven Street.

“Toowoomba is an important and growing regional centre, and through better planning and better infrastructure we will meet the growth challenge that comes with increased traffic,” Mr Newman said.

“Construction of a new Toowoomba ring road will better protect the CBD from floods and make it easier to get from one side of the city to the other.

“The Toowoomba Regional Council will receive $45 million and a further $5 million for flood mitigation works on the West Creek Railway Bridge through our Government’s landmark Royalties for the Regions program.”

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said Labor ignored the infrastructure needs of regional Queensland, and failed to plan properly for the future.

“The LNP has pledged to ensure regional Queensland receives a fair share of the royalties earned from the resources industry,” he said.

“That’s exactly what we’re delivering by funding projects like the Toowoomba ring road and the O’Mara Road upgrade at the Charlton Wellcamp Enterprise Area.”

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the detailed design for the new four-lane road had been completed with the project planned to be constructed and open to traffic by the end of 2014.

“We will transfer under-utilised Queensland Rail freehold land at the Toowoomba rail yards precinct to the council for the ring road.

“Flood mitigation measures include the construction of a three span bridge and widening of the creek channels in the area.

“This important project is one of a range of strategic infrastructure improvements the Newman Government is delivering to improve flood immunity, safety and efficiency of our regional roads.”

The current Toowoomba Range safety improvements are well underway and due for completion in April 2014.

The Outer Circulating Road Victoria Street extension project includes:

• A new four lane sub-arterial road extending Victoria Street from Russell Street through Queensland Rail land to connect with the Chalk Drive-Ruthven Street intersection, including a major three span bridge over the West and East creeks;
• An upgrade of the Russell-Victoria Street intersection, including an upgrade of the existing Russell Street drainage structure;
• An upgrade of the Ruthven Street-Chalk Drive intersection and an upgrade of West Creek channel; and
• Widened shoulders for cyclists, and a separate footpath for pedestrians on the new section.

[ENDS] 24 November 2013

Media contact:   Scott Whitby 0419 178 698